George played college football at the University of Southern California as a tackle under Hall of Fame coach Howard Jones from 1936 to 1938. His senior season was successful, as the Trojans upset both top-ranked rival Notre Dame, 13–0, and previously unbeaten and unscored-upon Duke, 7-3, in the 1939 Rose Bowl. In 1939, George was the second USC player ever drafted by the NFL, taken by the Detroit Lions as the 87th pick. He played two years of professional football, in 1939 with the Lions and in 1940 with the Philadelphia Eagles.